'A mixture of beautifully judged description and the gradual building of suspense' The Times 'A compelling page-turner where powerful, poetic writing creates a pressing sense of menace.' Daily Mail 'This corking Australian novel has all the makings of a future classic. Beautifully written, the haunting coming-of-age tale lingers in your mind long after you've put it down.' Glamour 'Both a detective story and a wonderful evocation of place and time. It is a disappointment when the last page is turned and there is no more to read' Sunday Telegraph 'A dark, haunting and evocative novel which highlights Darren Williams' exceptional writing and storytelling skills' Punch 'This assured, heart-stopping novel...is sure to garner lots of attention. ... Williams deliberately keeps his prose and action low-key in the early going, relying on details of both scene and character to add tension as he brings his outstanding ensemble to life in a unique and compelling setting. The shocking ending packs a major wallop, establishing Williams as a writer with a formidable range of skills, including the ability to twist both his plots and the genre in some startling, unexpected directions.' Publishers Weekly 'This is a haunting story, full of worrying twists...but, in the outcome, redeemed by decency and hope.' Gerald Kaufman, Scotsman 'It's amazingly good. Williams translates the intangible subtleties of small town life and the appalling burden of childhood fears into something poetic and affecting' Glasgow Herald 'It's an intensely atmospheric work, authentically portraying heat and brutality...it's entirely original.' Scotland on Sunday

Darren Williams lives in Brisbane, Australia. His previous novel, Swimming in Silk, was published in 1995 and was the winner of The Australian/Vogel Literary Award.